Vehicle anchor

ABSTRACT

An anchor for securing equipment to a substrate comprising a base that includes two barrels that are configured to pivotally receive a pivot pin having an anchor loop, the base further comprising at least one installation aperture located on the periphery of the base and at least one anchor bolt with a drive inset, at least one for each installation aperture.

This application is a continuation in part of pending application29/261,390, filed on Jun. 13, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of devices that are used tosecure large equipment and anchor vehicles.

BACKGROUND

Many owners of larger equipment and vehicles are dismayed when theirequipment go missing. There are many different methods by which thisoccurrence may be prevented. The equipment may be housed in a securefacility, wheels may be removed, batteries may be removed and the like.

Not all owners of these equipment have a secure housing facilityavailable, especially at remote construction sites and the removal ofportions of the equipment is time consuming and takes much effort.

Thus, there are present and continuing needs for new and improveddevices that help secure or anchor vehicles and other large equipment toa site.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device foranchoring vehicles to a site.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device thatanchors vehicles to concrete pads.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the inventionare set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The inventionitself, however, both as to its structure and its operation togetherwith the additional object and advantages thereof will best beunderstood from the following description of the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words andphrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary andaccustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art orarts. If any other meaning is intended, the specification willspecifically state that a special meaning is being applied to a word orphrase. Likewise, the use of the words “function” or “means” in theDescription of Preferred Embodiments is not intended to indicate adesire to invoke the special provision of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 todefine the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C.§112, paragraph 6, are sought to be invoked to define the invention(s),the claims will specifically state the phrases “means for” or “step for”and a function, without also reciting in such phrases any structure,material, or act in support of the function. Even when the claims recitea “means for” or “step for” performing a function, if they also reciteany structure, material or acts in support of that means of step, thenthe intention is not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112,paragraph 6. Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112,paragraph 6, are invoked to define the inventions, it is intended thatthe inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, materialor acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but inaddition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that performthe claimed function, along with any and all known or later-developedequivalent structures, materials or acts for performing the claimedfunction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view illustrating the installation of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the present invention installed on a floor,prior to drilling out the bolt heads.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the present invention after the bolt headsare drilled out.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is useful for anchoring and securing vehicles andother large vehicles.

With reference to the figures, the present invention is an anchor 20that can be secured to a substrate 10, such as a floor or wall. Theanchor 20 comprises a substantial base 22. The base 22 includes at leasttwo pivot barrels 24 that are configured to pivotally receive a pivotpin 26 having an anchor loop 28.

Further, the base includes at least one, more preferably two, even morepreferably three and most preferably four installation apertures 23,located around the periphery of the base 22. In the most preferredembodiment, the upper portion of the installation apertures arecountersunk 25 in order to fully receive a bolt 30, more specificallythe bolt head 32. The base 22 is preferably rectangular in shape, butmay have any of a wide variety of different shaped. The base 22 is madeof a hard steel, but other materials may be used and still considered tofall within the scope of the present invention.

The anchor loop 28 preferably further contains a securing aperture 29.The shape of the anchor loop 20 is preferably arcuately shaped, such asa half-circle, but other shapes may be used and still fall within thescope of the present invention. The shape of the securing aperture 29 ispreferably circular, but may be other shapes and still fall within thescope of the present invention.

There are two preferred embodiments of the present invention. In thefirst preferred embodiment, the base 22 is secured to a prepouredsubstrate 10, such as a concrete pad, by embedding at least one,preferably to, more preferably three, and most preferably for anchorbolts 30. This is done by placing the anchor 20 on the substrate andusing the installation apertures 23 to guide a drill bit as it preparesa hole in the substrate to receive anchor bolts 30. After any debriscaused by the drilling, the anchor bolts are inserted thorough theinstallation apertures and into the substrate, thereby securing theanchor to the substrate. After installing the anchor bolts 30, theinsets in the heads are drilled out, thereby preventing unwanted removalof the anchor bolts 30 and subsequent removal of the anchor and anysecured equipment.

More specifically, place the anchor 20 in a suitable location, away fromwalkways, and the like.

Using a pencil or marker trace all mounting hole onto the substrateconcrete 10.

Remove the anchor 20 and drill a ⅝″ hole at one of the marked locationsusing a ⅝″ concrete drill, to a depth of 2¼″. Keep the drilled holeperpendicular to the concrete mounting surface 10. Do no drill theremaining holes at this time.

Blow the drilled hole clean of dust and other materials. Insert a boltanchor into the hole and tap flush with surface. Using the bolt anchorsetting tool specifically, set the bolt anchor by driving the tool witha sufficient number of hammer blows until the shoulder of the tool isseated against the bolt anchor. The bolt anchor will not hold allowableloads required if shoulder of setting tool does not seat against thebolt anchor.

Install the locking plate over the holes previously marked and installan Allen bolt 30 into the bolt anchor, and tighten

Using the anchor 20 as a drill template, drill a hole in the oppositecorner of the first drilled hole using the previous described method fordrilling holes and anchor installation.

Install Allen bolt 30 into the new hole and tighten.

Drill the remaining two holes and install bolt anchors and bolts usingthe previous described method for installation.

Drill out hex of countersunk Allen bolts 30 using a ⅜″ drill bit, todisable fastener removal.

In the second embodiment, the base 22 is installed within the substrate10 while it is being poured, but inserting at least one, preferablyfour, concrete retaining legs (not shown) into freshly poured cement. Inthis embodiment, the base may have, but does not require, theinstallation apertures 23.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is described above in theDrawings and Description of Preferred Embodiments. While thesedescriptions directly describe the above embodiments, it is understoodthat those skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/orvariations to the specific embodiments shown and described herein. Anysuch modifications or variations that fall within the purview of thisdescription are intended to be included therein as well. Unlessspecifically noted, it is the intention of the inventor that the wordsand phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary andaccustomed meanings to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art(s).The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment and best mode of theinvention known to the applicant at the time of filing the applicationhas been presented and is intended for the purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications andvariations are possible in the light of the above teachings. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical application and to enableothers skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in variousembodiments and with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

1. An anchor for securing equipment to a substrate comprising a basethat includes two barrels that are configured to pivotally receive apivot pin having an anchor loop, the base further comprising at leastone installation aperture located on the periphery of the base and atleast one anchor bolt with a drive inset, at least one for eachinstallation aperture.
 2. The anchor according to claim 1 wherein the atleast one installation aperture is two installation apertures.
 3. Theanchor according to claim 1 wherein the at least one installationaperture is four installation apertures.
 4. A method for securing anequipment anchor to a substrate comprising the steps of: a) providing asubstrate; b) providing an anchor to be secured to the substrate, saidanchor comprising a base that includes two barrels that are configuredto pivotally receive a pivot pin having an anchor loop, the base furthercomprising at least one installation aperture located on the peripheryof the base; c) placing the anchor onto the substrate; d) drilling holesinto the substrate using the installation apertures in the base as atemplate; e) removing any debris caused by drilling the holes in thesubstrate; f) driving bolts with drive insets into the installationapertures and into the substrate, thereby securing the anchor to thesubstrate; and g) drilling out the drive inset in the head of the bolt,thereby preventing unwanted removal of the bolt from the substrate.